In a move that has gotten lots of press in the Canadian News, the area of Ontario should become the first province to ban smoking in cars that contain young passengers.

Health activists say the likelihood of children developing cancer, asthma and heart problems is good enough reason to force people to butt out after they buckle up. “Second-hand smoke is a killer,” said Rocco Rossi, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation. “Therefore we should be protecting our children from it.” The people behind the bill are comparing the act of driving around with a child while smoking to child abuse. “We already regulate in the car where we require seatbelts and child seats to protect our children. We’re not breaking new ground”, Rossi said.

Though the idea is still only a bill, many people are fighting for it to become the law across all states. If the bill did become law, it would allow a police officer to pull over anyone smoking in a car with kids and fine them between $200 to $1,000.

This is, in my opinion, a great idea. Second hand smoke is just as dangerous, if not more, than smoking. Children do not have the means to stand up for themselves, and most young kids don’t even know something bad is happening to them. By passing laws like this we can prevent lots of pain to lots of children.